Transfer Speculation: Micah Richards (Manchester City) to Manchester United
With Christmas barely three months away we can all indulge ourselves in some fanciful speculation ahead of the main banquet in January. According to the Mirror Manchester United are set to make a surprise move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards, if the Eastlands outfit decide to offload the player as a result of his inconsistent form.
There are more holes here than cheese to be honest. Inconsistent form is a possible charge - but not against a player who's played only three times since September. Less inconsistent form than merely being dropped for not having the right attitude to play at the top level. Richards has the raw ability to play at the top level, but seems to suffer from a lack of concentration. So if the player is not currently good enough for the City defence then what would Sir Alex Ferguson want him for?
True, it could be a intriguing challenge to make a player with many of the physical and mental attributes of Sol Campbell into an international defender again - but can United really take the time to bring Richards along? Richards was 21 last summer and yet went on such a summer holiday that he got so ill that he was unsure if he was suffering from swine flu or alcohol poisoning. Which should not be a question in the mind of a professional footballer.
Putting aside the intellectual challenge for Ferguson; at right back United have John O'Shea, Gary Neville, Rafael da Silva and Wes Brown fighting for the slot; at centre-half Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown and Jonny Evans are struggling to get enough games. Quite who would miss out is a mystery. At right-back there is no space and If Vidic is sold and Ferdinand's back goes then a couple of centre-halves may be brought in - but unless Richards was a nominal price I can't see him being one of them.
If Richards does need to rebuild his promising career perhaps it is more likely at a mid-table club like Sunderland, Fulham or Blackburn; and perhaps his ambitious hometown club, Birmingham City, may be more than interested?
Likely transfer in January: 1/5
*Is there anything is this speculation? Let us know!
